American, Continental seeks right to enter U.S./China market

American, Continental seeks right to enter U.S./China market    American Airlines and Continental Airlines said they will seek authority to provide service between the United States and China.
   American Airlines will seek to begin daily nonstop service between Chicago and Shanghai, starting May 1, 2005, to take advantage of the recent U.S.-China bilateral aviation agreement.
   Under the agreement, another two U.S. airlines will be allowed to serve China in the next two years. The U.S. Department of Transportation can pick one passenger airline to enter the market in March 2005. United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Federal Express and UPS already serve China from the United States.
   American wants to use Boeing 777 passenger aircraft on the proposed new Shanghai service.
   Continental Airlines said it has applied for permission to operate two daily routes to China from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.
   The Boeing 777 planes proposed for the route likely will have available cargo space that freight forwarders can book.